Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chris Musina. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chris, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I had been working as a full time professor at a University, the department chair was really pushing me and I was working easily over 60 hours a week, with little time for my own work. Eventually the position went south, which was ultimately for the best, but at the time was really nerve-racking, and depressing. I had always wanted to try putting some of my work on a t-shirt, and this precarious situation gave me the energy to try. My close friend Rosemary and I printed off 20 shirts with one of my designs and I sold them all right away. I then decided to invest and found a t-shirt printer to do larger runs and a more professional finished product. From there I kept investing and taking risks on new designs, and now I have a full fledged (yet small) t-shirt company (No Masters). This has given me freedom and is an exciting and fun project. I’m able to work for myself and live a life of creative work with incredible flexibility. While I have less stability – I truly feel much more fulfilled.

Chris, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been an artist for many years, painting and drawing work that thinks about the culture of animals and human animality, with growing interests in the impossibility of paradise and nostalgia. In the last couple of years, I’ve shifted my practice to equally focus on design and illustration, formed my own imprint No Masters, and have started designing logos, shirt designs and album, covers for clients and friends. I bring an understanding of a minimal yet rich, well drawn aesthetic – playing into the visual languages of punk and alternative cultures, nature illustration and tourist kitsch. For a client I can bring the element of a cool aesthetic and a strong knowledge of visual history and culture.
If anyone is interested in learning more I encourage them to look at my websites ( chrismusina.com / nomasters.net) or instagram (@chrismusina / @_nomasters_) and to reach out with any questions.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Society ought to value creative work more than it does, as people who value creative work it is on us to share the work of friends and those who inspire or interest us, be it on social media or in discussion. We also ought to support each others work – buy a print, a mug, a shirt, see live music, buy the physical record, go to the local bakery. I think its by supporting each others creative endeavors, and propping each other up, that we make art important in society. We also should let the lines between so called high brow and low brow creative work blur even more. Not everyone can afford to buy a painting to support an artist they love.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part is putting my voice into the ether, and having a sense that people beyond my circle are hearing it. When people across the country or even world can connect with a design or drawing I’ve made, a set of words that I’ve written, I feel rewarded. When those people reach out and tell me that they love my work or that it connects with them on a deeper level – that never gets old, it drives me to do more, to do better. I appreciate it beyond words.

Contact Info:

• Website: nomasters.net
• Instagram: @_nomasters_
• Linkedin: chris-musina-a889091b0
• Other: chrismusina.com @chrismusina